Torch, Spring 1984

i I The Place of the Church in l the Plan ofGod · by Dr. J. Don Jennings INTRODUCTION T he Biblical record identifies the church as having an integral part in the eternal purpose of God (Ephe– sians 3: 10) . The church is God's holy masterpiece, Heaven's architectural wonder, .. fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part. . . (Ephesians 4:16) . DEANITION All learning begins with defini– tion . The word "church" translates the Greek word ekklesia , composed 6 of ek, "out of," and kaleo, "to call," thus "called out ones ." The church refers to God's called out people, re– cipients of redemptive grace, re– stored and reconciled to God by the blessings of . the gospel. God has called His people from death to life, from sin to salvation, from rags to riches. But ye are a chosen gener– ation, a royal priesthood, an holy na– tion, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light (I Peter 2:9). THE CHURCH IN THE PAST The church has a noble history, in– deed. The aura of antiquity em– blazons every part of it. The church was conceived in the Lord's infinite wisdom, from eternity, before the foundation of the world (II Timothy 1:9), purchased by the precious blood of Christ at Calvary (Acts 20:28), and placed into the body of Christ by the ministry of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost (I Corinthians 12: 13), as Jew and Gentile were joined together in the Lord. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father (Ephesians 2:18) . The church in olden times was hid– den away in the eternal purpose and counsel of God and made manifest in time as the Lord decreed. The Apos– tle Paul wrote of the church saying, Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit (Ephe– sians 3:5). The word "church" is used in a twofold sense in the New Testament. It is used to refer to the body of Christ, composed of all believers from Pentecost to the Rapture. In this sense, the church is a living organism which has its life and head in Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23) . The second use of the word "church" has reference to the local church. In this sense a church is an organization, and its members are to faithfully honor the Lord in loving obedience with their time, talent, and treasures. The word "church" occurs some 114 times in the New Testa– ment. The predominant reference centers in the local church . New Testament local churches are composed of born-again, baptized believers with two kinds of officers - pastors and deacons. The churches practice two ordinances - baptism and communion. They are involved in missions - home and foreign. And, they are banded together for mutual fellowship and encouragement. The foundation of the church is Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 3:11) . The church is built upon the sinless deity of Christ as confessed by the Apostle Peter in Matthew 16:16, And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art